DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.51519#0212
182
THE DUCHESS OF RICHMOND.
then at the King, whose eyes sparkled; and whose frame trem-
bled with unwonted passion ; and judging it best not to trust his
safety within reach of the lion’s paw, he made no reply, but with
a profound bow, backed out of the apartment, leaving- the lady to
make her peace as best she might. She, who well knew the cha-
racter of Charles, assumed a high tone on the occasion, insisted
on her lig’ht to receive the addresses of the duke in what manner
and what time she pleased, complained of insult and tyranny, and
threatened to throw herself into a nunnery abroad. The King-
left her in anger, and in the utmost agitation. The following- day
the Duke of Richmond was ordered to quit the court; but, not
being gifted with the assurance or magnanimity of his mistress,
or through that best part of wisdom, which some call cowardice
and some discretion, he had anticipated the royal commands, and
retired the night before.
A few days afterwards, Miss Stewart took an opportunity of
throwing herself at the feet of the Queen her mistress, and very
pathetically entreated her protection and forgiveness; the good-
natured Catherine, now subdued to “ the quality of her lord,”
forgave her. She considered, that since she must needs suffer a
rival, it would be better to trust the gentleness of Miss Stewart,
than to be outbraved by the insolent termagant, Castlemaine ; and
that by preventing the flight or marriage of a woman whom her
husband loved to distraction, she was giving herself a claim to his
eternal gratitude; in consequence, she charitably exerted herself
to bring about a reconciliation between the King and his coy,
perverse mistress, and succeeded so well, that for awhile all was
peace and smiles—a hollow peace and most deceitful smiles. One
cold dark night, in the month of March, 1667, Miss Stewart
found means to steal from her lodging- in Whitehall; and joined
the Duke of Richmond at a tavern in Westminster, where he had
horses waiting, she eloped with him into Surrey, and they were
privately married the next morning by the duke’s chaplain.
“ What dire events from amorous causes spring,” we are not
THE DUCHESS OF RICHMOND.
then at the King, whose eyes sparkled; and whose frame trem-
bled with unwonted passion ; and judging it best not to trust his
safety within reach of the lion’s paw, he made no reply, but with
a profound bow, backed out of the apartment, leaving- the lady to
make her peace as best she might. She, who well knew the cha-
racter of Charles, assumed a high tone on the occasion, insisted
on her lig’ht to receive the addresses of the duke in what manner
and what time she pleased, complained of insult and tyranny, and
threatened to throw herself into a nunnery abroad. The King-
left her in anger, and in the utmost agitation. The following- day
the Duke of Richmond was ordered to quit the court; but, not
being gifted with the assurance or magnanimity of his mistress,
or through that best part of wisdom, which some call cowardice
and some discretion, he had anticipated the royal commands, and
retired the night before.
A few days afterwards, Miss Stewart took an opportunity of
throwing herself at the feet of the Queen her mistress, and very
pathetically entreated her protection and forgiveness; the good-
natured Catherine, now subdued to “ the quality of her lord,”
forgave her. She considered, that since she must needs suffer a
rival, it would be better to trust the gentleness of Miss Stewart,
than to be outbraved by the insolent termagant, Castlemaine ; and
that by preventing the flight or marriage of a woman whom her
husband loved to distraction, she was giving herself a claim to his
eternal gratitude; in consequence, she charitably exerted herself
to bring about a reconciliation between the King and his coy,
perverse mistress, and succeeded so well, that for awhile all was
peace and smiles—a hollow peace and most deceitful smiles. One
cold dark night, in the month of March, 1667, Miss Stewart
found means to steal from her lodging- in Whitehall; and joined
the Duke of Richmond at a tavern in Westminster, where he had
horses waiting, she eloped with him into Surrey, and they were
privately married the next morning by the duke’s chaplain.
“ What dire events from amorous causes spring,” we are not